Bolster.



J. M. ROHLFING.

BOLSTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1911.

1,029,086. Patented June 11, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STA'FESILATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. ROHLFING, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAR AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MlSSOURI, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

BOLSTER.

Application filed June 1, 1911.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1912.

Serial No. 630,731.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. RoHLriNo, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, and being a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bolsters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and to use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof will occur to persons skilled in the art.

ln said drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a bolster constructed in accor-dance with the invention, parts being broken away and shown in section in order to better illustrate the details of construction. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken approximately on the plane of line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the plane of line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed sectional views taken on the planes respectively of lines 5-5 and (iF-Gef Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view taken on the plane of line 7 7 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 8 illustrates the manner in which a single rectangular sheet of metal is cut for the 'r purpose of forming the web plates employed in the bolster structure.

The object of this invention is to provide a thoroughly practical bolster which may be manufactured at small cost and to this end itI includes elements of simple outline and of such form as to be easily and economically assembled, all rivet connections being so placed as to facilitate the use of a machine riveter.

A further object is to provide for the use of a pair of web plates of a contour such as may be economically cut from a single rectangular sheet of metal, two of such pairs being employed in each bolster constructed and each pair being so formed and placed in the structure as to produce a symmetric out-line.

A further object is to provide a reinforcing member for the central portion of the bolster, said reinforcing member being formed with a king pin pocket and having portions adapted for connecting the various web plates.

A further object is to provide end plates closing the opposite ends of the bolster and to provide column guides adjacent said end plates, said column guides being provided with means adapted for receiving the attaching means for retaining the end plates in positionf Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 indicates the compression member and 2 the tension member. The tension member comprises, preferably, a rolled channel section continuous from end to end of the bolster and disposed with its web relatively horizontal and its opposite flanges upst-anding. The opposite end portions of the channel are disposed in the same horizontal plane, while its central portion is depressed and connected to the end portions by upwardly inclined intermediate portions, all combining to form a fish bellied tension member. Diaphragms 3 and 4 are fixed by their lower edges to each of the flanges of the channel Q and at their upper edgesare formed each with an outwardly laterally projecting flange 5 to which the compression member 1 is riveted.

It will be observed that before the placing in position of the compression member 1, the interior of the structure, that is the space between the two pairs of web plates, will be clearly accessible from above for the purpose of machine-riveting the lower edges of the web plates to the upstanding flanges of the tension member. After the interior riveting is completed the compression member 1 is placed upon the upper surfaces of the outwardly projecting flanges 5 and riveted in position by machine riveters. This disposal of flanges enables the placing ofthe principal tension element of the channel 2, that is the web of said channel, at the lowest available plane of the structure and thus produces an increase in the strength of the bolster proportionate to its depth. A reinforcing plate 6 is riveted to the under surface of the web of the channel 2 at its central portion for strengthening said member.

The diaphragms 3 and 4 of each pair are designed to be cut from a single sheet of metal as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The sheet is cut along an irregular line as 7 drawn diagonally from end to end thereof, so as to form two sections of identical shape, wider at one end than at the other. When the sections have been thus formed, marginal portions as 8, 9 and 1() are cut from each section and the flanges 5 are formed of the portions designated by the numerals 11-11 of Fig. 8. The sections are placed in the structure with their larger ends abutting and with their smaller ends comprising end portions of the bolster. The abutting ends of the respective pairs are secured together by splice plates 12-12 fixed to their outer surfaces. T he irregular edge portions formed by the cut along the line 7 are such as to conform to the shape of the tension member 2 upon each side of the transverse median line of said tension member. The portions 11, and hence the flanges 5 5 are so shaped as to form a central portion disposed approximately horizontal, produced by the cutting off of the portions 10-10 from the blank. The intermediate and end portions are inclined downwardly and the compression member 1 is made to conform to said inclined portions.

Upon the upper surface of the central portion of the compression member 1 is fixed the center bearing member 13, provided with the usual king pin aperture as 14.

T he compression member 1, is formed with an aperture 15 in alinement with the aperture 14 of the center bearing member and directly beneath the center bearing member and the central portion of the compression member is disposed a central transverse reinforcing member 16. This reinforcing member comprises preferably a rolled I-section arranged with its web standing vertically and extending from the inner surface of one pair of web plates 3-4 to the inner surface of the other pair of web plates 3*@ and with its opposite flanges lapping said web plates and being fixed thereto by the rivets which fix the splice plates 12 to the outer surfaces of said web plates. The fianges of the I-section are cut away at their lower ends and the web portion is extended. downwardly between upstanding flanges of the tension member and is fixed to the web portion of said tension member by oppositely disposed angular sections 17H17 fixed to opposite sides of the web portion of the I-section and to the upper surface of adjacent portions of the web of the tension member.

Directly beneath the aperture 15, a portion of the web of the I-section 16 is cut away from its upper edge downwardly for approximately half its depth, as at 18. Oppositely formed semi-circular shaped plates 1919 are fixed to the opposite sides of the web of the Ifsection adjacent the cut-out portion 18 and together serve to form a substantial pocket for receiving the king pin introduced through the apertures 14 and 15.

Reinforcing channel sections 20-20 are fixed to the web plates 3 and 4 and to the tension member 2, at points spaced upon opposite sides of the I-section 16. Each of the reinforcing members 20 comprises a channel section disposed with its web standing vertically and with its opposite flanges fixed to the inner surfaces of the adjacent opposite web plates by suitable rivet connections. The flanges of the sections 20 are cut away at their lower ends and the web portion is continued downwardly between the upstanding flanges of the tension member and is secured to the web of said member by rivets through a suitable angle section as 21.

The details of construction of the bolster at each of its ends is identical and a description of one will suffice for both, as follows: Column-guides 22 22 are fixed to the outer surfaces of the web plates by rivets some of which extend through interposed reinforcing angles 22a and through the fianges of the tension member 2. The compression member 1 terminates short of the end of the tension member 2, and the end thereof is spaced above the end of said tension member. The flanges 5 of the opposite web plates are co-extensive with the compression member and the ends of the web plates are inclined downwardly from said flanges to the upper end edges of the flanges of the tension member. Each of the column-guides preferably comprises a casting formed with an ear 23 arranged to project inwardly through a marginal recess 24, formed in the adjacent web plate along the inclined edge portion thereof,in such manner that the upper surface of said ears are disposed in practically the same plane as the normal upper edge of the inclined portions of said web plates. An end cover plate 25 shaped to fit over the inclined portions of the web plates and the relatively vertical portions of the tension and compression members, is held in position by rivets through the ears 23. Upon its inner side the cover plate 25 is formed with a projecting ridge or bead 2G adapted to fit snugly between the flanges and web portions of the ends of the tension member 2 so as to prevent any possible distortion of the end of the bolster and for preventing dislocation of the cover plate.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a bolster, the combination comprising spaced pairs of web plates having their ends abutting and each formed with a laterally projecting flange along its upper edge, a compression member fixed to and connecting all of said flanges, and a fianged tension member fixed to and connecting the lower edges of said plates.

Q. In a bolster. the combination eomprisi ing a pair of web plates formed each with a l laterally projecting flange along its upper edge. said plates and fianges having their ends abutting. and a king-pin-reeeiying member eonneeting said web plates.

El. Vfn a bolster. the Combination Comprising a pair of web plates formed eaeh with a. laterally proieeting flange along its upper edge. said plates and flanges haring their ends abutting. a Compression member fixed to and Conneeting said flanges. a tension member fixed to and Conneet'ing the lower edges of said plates. and a king-pin-reeeiying member eonneeting said plates.

ff. in a bolster. the Combination Comprising a pair of web plates formed eaeh with a laterally proieeting flange along its upper edge. said web plates and flanges having their ends abutting. a Compression meu'iber fixed to and ConneCting said flanges. a tension member fixed to'and Conneeting the lower edges of said web plates. and a king pin-reeeiyiiu); member Cenneeting said web plates and being fixed to said tension member.

5. in. a bolster. the Combination Comprising a pair of web plates formed eaCh with a laterally proieeting flange along its upper edge. said plates and flanges haring their ends abutting. and a lting-pin-reeeiying member Comprising an I-sCCtion disposed with one or its vflanges ConneCting said plates.

f3. ln a bolster` the Combination Comprising a pair of web plates formed eaCh with a laterally prolieet'ing flange along its upper edge. said plates and flanges having their ends abutting. a Compression member fixed to and ConneCting said fianges. a tension member fixed to and Conneeting the lower edges of said plates. and a lzing-pin-reeeiying member Comprising an I-seCtion with one of its flanges fixed to said web plates and with its web fixed to said tension member.

7. ln a bolster. the Combination Comprising a pair of web plates formed eaeh with a laterally proieeting flange along its upper edge. said plates and flanges baring their ends abutting. a hing-pin-reeeiying member Conneeting `said web plates upon one side of the abutting ends thereof. and a spliee plate Comieeting said web plates upon the opposite side of tbe abutting ends thereof.

9. ln a bolster. the Combination Comprising a pair of web plates formed eaeh with a laterally proieeting flange along its upper edge. said plates and flanges haying their ends abutting. a Compression member fixed to and Conneeting said flanges. a tension member fixed to and eonneeting the lower edges of said plates. ay lring-pin-reeeiying member eouneeting said web plates. and a. yertiCal stiflemng member fixed to each of said plates adjacent the abutting ends thereof.

f). ln a bolster. the combination comprising a pair of web plates formed each with a laterally projeeting fiange along its upper edge. said plates and fianges having their ends abutting. a Compression member fixed to and ConneCting said flanges. a tension member fixed to and Connecting the lower edges of said plates. a king-pin-reeeiring member Conneeting said plates. and a Verti- Cal stiti'ening member fixed to eaCh of said plates adjaeent the abutting ends thereof and to adjaeent` portions of said tension member.

l0. lu a bolster. the Combination Comprising a Compression member and a tension member. said Compression member being forlned with a king-pin-reeeiying aperture. web plates eenneetiug said compression and tension members. a king-pin-reeeiying member between said web plates. said king-pinreeeiying member. Comprising an I-seetion fixed by its opposite marginal flanges to said web plates and having one end of its web Cenneeted to said tension member. and a hing-pin-reeeiying poeket formed atthe opposite end of the web of said king-pin-reeeiying member disposed for registering with the king-pin-reeeiying aperture in said Compression member.

11. In a bolster. the Combination comprising a Conu'iression nieml'ier. and a tension member. spaeed web plates Conneeting said compression and tension members. a Column guide fixed to the out er surfaCe of eaCh of said web plates. an inwardly projeeting ear formed upon Caeh of said Column guides. and an end plate fixed to said ears.

l). ln a bolster. the eombinatien Comprising a eounliression member and a tension member. said members being spaced apart atV one of their ends. spa/fed web plates Conneet'ing said Compression and tension members intern'iediate their ends. a Column guide fixed to the outer surfaee of eaeh of said web plates. an inwardly inojeeting ear formed upon eael. of said Column guides. and an end plate fixed to said ears adapted for closing the spare between the spaeed ends of said Compression and tension member.

1?). ln a bolster. a Conuaiigession member. a tension member formed with oppositely disposed marginal flanges. spaCed web plates Conneeting said Compression and tension members. a` Column guide fixed te the outer surfaCe of eaCh of said web plates. an inwardly projeeting ear formed upon eaeh of said column guides. and an end plate fixed to said ears and haring portions fitting snugly between the flanges of said tension member.

14. ln a bolster. a Cempressirn member. ay tension member Comprising a Channel seetien (lispOsetl with its wel) relatively horizontal and witli its flanges npstantling7 a pair of wel) plates lixell t0 eat-,l1 flange 0f said compression member and each pair being disposed with their ends abutting and having' their npper edges formed with laterally projecting' [langes lixed t0 said Compression member, and a liingg-pin-reeeiving member extending` from une pair of web plates t0 the other being xed to said tension member 10 and being formed with flanges iXetl t0 all or' said web plates.

In witness whereof I llave hereunto set my hand in lille present-e of two witnesses.V

JOHN M. ROHLFING. \Yit11essf\s OSCAR HOCHBERG, PAUL M. BEAM).

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

